#31

8/27/10 #31----tight end ----Houston High Mustangs

“Mrs. Liles, will you wear my jersey tomorrow?”

What a thrill! Once a year, for a special “Spirit Day,” each HHS football player asks his favorite teacher to wear his “gameday” jersey. WOW--to be chosen---not something that usually happens for an old librarian. An occasion to wash one’s hair for---even at 4:15 a.m.

His jersey represents that which is important to him. What a privilege. What an honor---to be a chosen one! “How cool is this” is the way our new art teacher, Amanda (#33) phrased it.

Wearing a player’s jersey is a way of carrying his banner. In biblical days, the Israelites carried the Lord’s banner into battle as an assurance of His presence. They held it high for all to see. (Isa. 18:3) The banner was a flag the victor could raise over his defeated foe. Whether we defeat Bolton tonight or not, all the “selected” teachers at HHS are pleased to represent a student athlete---to carry his banner. I know I am---especially since I have a faith connection with “my” tight end. We both carry the Lord’s banner.

During hall duty the comments have ranged from "nice dress, Ms L,” and "you’re sure dressed up,” to "Mrs. Liles you look like you’re steppin’ out.”

The short sleeves reach my elbow. The jersey hangs to my knees. The “tag” says 31---a perfect fit, don’t you think.

LEFTOVERS

8/24/10 Having just a finished supper of grilled chicken and a few fresh veggies with a leftover or two thrown in, I realized how blessed I am to have a hubby who will willingly eat leftovers. However, on occasion he will tease me for saving nothing more than a heaping spoonful to nosh on later. Those leftovers, my friends, are just for me. I might prepare a big meal but often the leftovers are mine alone---maybe they aren’t to Larry’s liking (a mess of turnip greens comes to mind) Those morsels might have taken considerable time to prepare and I can’t bear to throw them out. Sometimes I just want to relish that favorite familiar taste a little longer.
Believe it or not, that scenario is somewhat analogous of both my Bible study teaching/speaking and my blogging.

My April 26 talk at church was like that. I prepared for a long time---wrote recipe-type notes to guide my talk, “stewed” it around in my brain, pared it down several times to a 3 pt. outline and then served it to the audience---some of what I had written and other thoughts that were just “spices” thrown in at the last minute.
Afterwards, hubby asked me why I didn’t explain more in detail about cancer surgeries or tell them about my mouth being sewn shut for weeks on end, etc. He said several women had asked him questions and he wondered why I didn’t give more info. Well…..I didn’t know.

Often I don’t know what I’ll end up saying or for that matter typing. I have often fretted about it thinking that I was somehow missing the boat. But God had a long time BSF leader tell me that all the scripture and thought and prayer that go in to preparation prepares me and the hearts of the listeners, as God intends--what doesn’t get given is the leftovers that are just for me. She reminded me that when Jesus fed the 5,000 with just the 5 loaves and 2 fish, He prayed over it giving thanks and that after it was given to the multitudes, it was the disciples who picked up the broken pieces that were left over. The people got what they needed and the disciples got what they needed. (Matthew 14: 13-21)

I do hope my blog entries are feeding you. However, my journals and blog bytes, which overflow with leftovers---well, those are just for me.

E.G.O.

8/23/10 Edging God Out….that’s what our ego does. It puts self in the forefront. The more of self, the less of God….a “more of me less of Thee” concept. With this mentality that is so prevalent in a “ME first” / “watch out for # 1” society, problems abound. Why? We become our own god---thinking our purpose on earth is for our pleasure/happiness and comfort. But God says………….

You shall have no other gods before Me. (Deuteronomy 5:7)

To find true joy, change your purpose. Follow God’s word.

'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself. (Luke 10:27)

Love God first, neighbor second and then self----it’s the way to live well---“dance” if you will!

Front porch sittin’

8/22/10 I need some good ole fashion front porch sittin'---that’s “southernspeak” for a retreat, or at least a break from the hurried/hectic life. I know that I’ve just had the summer off. (I’m reading those thoughts of readers who don’t get summer vacations.) But…..this summer has been the busiest that I can remember.
I’ve “retreated” before around town at the cloistered home of the Poor Clare nuns, St. Clare Monastery ,near Frayser and St. Columba Episcopal Retreat Center in Bartlett. I’ve even ventured eastward and attended vespers with friend Maureen (now deceased) at the St. Joseph's Abbey in MA, home of 80 Trappist monks, and spent a glorious fall weekend with JoLynn at The Cove. (Billy Graham Training Center) I now have the Abbey of Gethsemani, in KY on my bucket list, as a place for an unstructured silent retreat. A stretch for me to be sure, but one I yearn to try---just me and my Bible in the presence of the Lord, for His teachings.

Right now I don’t have the time or money for retreats---but as a girl who grew up front porch sittin’ on white painted gliders on South Virginia Street, watching life move as slowly as the people talked, I’m gonna carve out some front porch-type sittin’. I’ll just turn the phone off and sit in my prayer chair in my air-conditioned living room with my Bible and a front porch sittin’ attitude.

I think Jesus called it a closet.

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. (Matthew 6:6)

DELIGHT---FUL prospect

8/21/10 Damson Plums----just those 2 words from yesterday’s Felder Rushing’s “Southern Gardener” column in the CA brought delight to my thinking. Damson plums equate to damson preserves and no one took greater delight in making them and sharing them than did my mother. Dark plums bubbling and splattering as they simmered in her dented dutch oven on the back burner----what a smell! She would “put them up” in small Mason jars and give as birthday gifts to her Tuesday bridge club, all of whom delighted in the gift. Mother found delight in sharing lots of things; slips from her garden, her sweet and sour pickles and homemade mayonnaise. For the family we would delight in her Gigi biscuits and fried apples- ---frozen “go boxes,” of sorts. Quart jars of her custard to take home after Christmas were worth fighting for and nephew Bryan almost OD’d on his take. (Mother always made sure he got his share.)

He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. Psalm 18:19

What is this spacious place? What can it be but God, Himself----(Madam Guyton---Streams in the Desert, 8/21)

It delights me to ponder the truth that God delights “greatly” in me. (Zephaniah 3:17)

So how am I going to apply this info? How am I going to “Dare to Dance”? (D2D) Maybe I need to give up my “Debbie Downer” role and start “delighting” in doing for others.

Delight seems to be 2-edged---somewhat equal for the giver and the receiver. A “back attcha” type equation. (dg+ dr = D) Delightfully given plus delightfully received = total delight.

1, 2, 3….............

8/19/10……………look at Me. (Me meaning the Lord) That’s been my customary reaction to spiritual things----sort of like a “rule.” Instead of 3 strikes you’re out, when something intersects with my life 3 times that means, a heads up for ole Dots.

As a result, I’ve been meditating in Psalm 71. This is a psalm of lament that expresses the faith of an older person, who has trusted God for many years but is still feeling attacked whether verbally or physically or both. I, as well as most folks, can understand his need for God as a refuge.

As I first began meditating on this psalm, I was indeed seeking solace---and not because of aging or gray hairs. (v. 18) My strength, both physical and emotional was spent. I was hurt. I needed a rock, refuge, Someone trustworthy on whom to lean.

On Sunday, Cole concluded his sermon suggesting this psalm for consideration---that for me was affirmation #2. I decided to camp out there a little longer. Affirmation #3 came in the Tuesday’s Upper room devotional reading, Psalm 71:17-21. God began to change my focus. He has been with me when I (Isaiah 43:2) “passed through the waters….and was not overwhelmed.” (I only temporarily felt as if I were drowning) This new focus in the same psalm reminds me that there is none like God---God who has seen me through many troubles and calamities will revive me again. Now I must continue to proclaim his wondrous deeds and ask him, “ do not forsake me until I proclaim your might to another generation.” (Psalm 71:18) My grands come to mind.

The Upper room gives a L2L (Link2Life) as way to encourage practical application of the scripture’s teaching. I’m calling mine D2D (Dare to Dance) to encourage myself and others to dare to go forth and dance (celebrate) these life truths with others. I’m going to pick up the phone and call a friend.

1,2,3….and....1,2,3……………….doesn’t it make you want to dance.

ALONE..........

8/16/10……………….for a reason or a season. In the scriptures, we read that Timothy had Paul by his side for awhile and then Paul went to Macedonia and Timothy went to Ephesus, without his mentor. How alone Timothy must have felt. 2 Kings 2 tells of Elisha the prophet being separated from his predecessor/mentor, Elijah. My Utmost for His Highest speaks of such times as these---when we are left alone and often think we can’t go on without our "spiritual sidekick".

“It is not wrong for you to depend on your “Elijah” for as long as God gives him to you. But remember that the time will come when he must leave and will no longer be your guide and your leader, because God does not intend for him to stay.” (My Utmost 8/11)

Alone at Your “Jordan” (2 Kings 2:14) The Jordan River represents …… separation…..no fellowship with anyone else, …. no one else can take your responsibility from you. You now have to put to the test what you learned when you were with your “Elijah.” You have been to the Jordan over and over again with Elijah, but now you are facing it alone. (emphasis mine) There is no use in saying that you cannot go— the experience is here, and you must go. If you truly want to know whether or not God is the God your faith believes Him to be, then go through your “Jordan” alone.” (My Utmost 8/11)
Alone at Your “Jericho” (2 Kings 2:15) Jericho……the place where you have seen your “Elijah” do great things….when you come alone to your “Jericho,”.…. a strong reluctance to (emphasis mine) ……trust in God, wanting, instead, for someone else to take it for you.…….remain true to what you learned while with your “Elijah,”.……..(My Utmost 8/11)
Alone at Your “Bethel” (2 Kings 2:23) At your “Bethel” you will find yourself at your wits’ end (emphasis mine) but at the beginning of God’s wisdom. When you come to your wits’ end and feel inclined to panic— don’t! Stand true to God and He will bring out His truth in a way that will make your life an expression of worship. Put into practice what you learned while with your “Elijah”— use his mantle and pray (v.13-14)…..determination….trust in God,…..do not even look for Elijah anymore. (My Utmost 8/11)

After a while, we have to learn to “go it” alone though as believers we never truly face anything alone. Our Emmanuel, “God with us” is always present.

Though I have been blessed at different stages in my Christian walk to have a prayer partner, as well as a mentor or “discipler,” there have been many times where God has chosen for me to “go it” on my own. This week, I want you to “go it” on your own in meditation. Take time to be alone---in His presence. Ask the Lord to guide you to a verse/passage just for you. Pick up your Bible and begin reading---maybe in 2 Kings or the Psalms or one of the Epistles. Allow the Spirit of God to speak to your heart and teach you from his word.

Home Alone

8/14/10 To some this phrase brings delightful anticipation. To many it brings sadness, fear and dread. To others, a calm resolve of acceptance.

For the last few days, I have been a member of the first group. My quiet house is a refuge---no one home but me. That’s a big contrast to last week’s hub-bub. (Which I also loved.) With everyone gone, even hubby, I’m going to milk it for all it’s worth. I’m going to enjoy “no cooking” needed---I can recycle pantry and fridge items for days. I plan on sleeping without a fan---hubby needs the noise to block the tinnitus induced ringing in his ears. I will not select channel 827 on the remote (PGA GOLF)---I probably won’t even turn on the TV. I can pray aloud and sing (a joyful noise) without worrying about being derisively labeled a “happy-clappy.”

Yet, I know I can feel this way because my “aloneness” is temporary and times of separation can be good. I have seen couples struggle when both retire and neither is ever home alone. Mother used to say she married Daddy for better or for worse but not for lunch----lunch/daytime was her time.
Others are facing a life of “home alone.” Just last week, high school chum, Candy Harned Wynn lost her hubby, Jack, only 7 months after onset of an illness. Her’s is not temporary. Her’s is not by choice. Yet, she has sought the only one who can comfort her in her time of aloneness. In an e-mail yesterday she wrote, “There were so many blessings throughout this whole journey, special "gifts" that gave us such encouragement, hope and affirmation that God was present with us every step of the way. I truly hope to share those with you someday in the near future.” Candy knows the God who “will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5)

My “home alone” time is not only temporary in nature, but also short in time frame. I know that the one who does dishes (a lot), listens to my laments and rubs not only my back but also my feet will soon be coming home. That makes this aloneness different from loneliness. I am not lonely, just alone---that’s a lot more bearable.
Plus, if I do get lonely I can always go turn on the golf channel loud enough so that I can still hear it when I leave the room. Then it will seem like I am no longer “home alone.”

ANNIVERSARY ANGST

8/9/10 Anniversaries are special but along with them comes a certain amount of angst. #1 is remembering! Then there’s ……..The gift, traditional or modern. The location, trip or just restaurant. The pressure--- for a memorable activity. The finances.
Wedding anniversaries also have a way of changing as the years go by. The first one is often another mini honeymoon of sorts----not ours. We had a new baby and no money for travel but we still gave gifts of “paper” because I like that tradition and we ate the top of the wedding cake that had been in the freezer for a year. (That SeeQuees birth control pill was taken off the market.)
Children and budgetary parameters kept us creative for many years.

10th we splurged at Folks Folly so the gift was 1 tin cup (actual gift b/c budget still very limited) Cup later ended up rusting in the sand pile. So much for romantic notions.
Our 13th was lunch at Doeblers Dock. We went on a Saturday for the “special,” 10¢ shrimp and oysters. Anniversary was actually on a Monday that year. Restaurant was overlooking (sort of) the Mississippi River and we had all 3 kids in tow----also not exactly romantic but they loved it, especially the walking tour we created.

Our 15th in Hot Springs AR at the renown Hamilton House, a treat from friends Boyd and Deborah (kids too just not at dinner)
From the mid-80s to the early 90s, Larry’s position as coach of the US Racquetball team gave us opportunities to celebrate anniversaries in exotic places: Le Meir in Hamburg, Germany and an outdoor restaurant in Caracas, Venezuela.

(I remember an iguana running under my feet---now that’s memorable.)

We shared our silver anniversary (25th) with dear friends Sam and JoLynn---inn hopping in our favorite mountainous state, North Carolina. She and I had our tea times while the guys had their tee times. The biggest splurge was a night at Greystone Inn in Lake Toxaway, NC. I rationalized that “grey” sounded “silverish”---so I booked it.
Our 30th found us as empty nesters with a little spare change so the gifts were memorable---tickets to symphony in the garden (though Josh & Molly came too) and a fall weekend "alone" (so no pics) at the Hemlock Inn in North Carolina--- with a great side trip to Franklin to spend a night with Marge and Larry. We still laugh about our “tie” joke. (Makes me blush just to type it!)
Last summer we celebrated our 40th with the help of many of my blog readers who submitted (40) red gift ideas for our ruby celebration. What fun that was!
Now we are in a new season and our anniversary reflects that---but we still celebrate---because we are growing old together.
This year we will be together---at the Baptist Hospital for Women w/ Mommar as she undergoes surgery for uterine cancer. Though there will be angst, it won’t be from worrying about a location or a memorable gift. This anniversary will actually be a fulfilling of those 1969 vows “in sickness (we include family here as well) and in health, for better or for worse” which we made unto the Lord on this day 41 years ago.

Newlyweds' News Brief

8/8/10 My heart is filled to overflowing with gratitude for time with family these last few days---so rare, when various cities of distance and time zones become the “great separators.”
How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! (Psalm 133:1)
Our pleasantness always includes a lot of laughter. Yet, at the same time we’re missing anyone who’s not there. In Florida it was the newlyweds. This time it was the Texans. Usually even in the midst of the frivolity, a pall of “dreading the leaving” can settle over me if I’m not careful to stay in the moment. So here are those moments of joy, briefly.

• 8/5/10 Arrival of newlyweds, Josh & Megan postponed because flight cancelled again---they’re 2 for 2 with Delta this year---they arrived just one day late. (We & many others want Southwest Airlines to fly into Memphis---maybe we should begin a campaign.)
  

• 8/6/10 Typical Memphis welcome---golf for guys, shopping for girls and BBQ, sweet tea and Nora’s pound cake, served with homemade ice cream & Flippen’s peaches for OOT family visitors.

• 8/7/10 Electricity outage had breakfast changed from “cooked” & served inside to bagels & fruit served alfresco.

• Cooler temps and breeze help Memphis humidity but Uncle Josh still takes a wading pool dip (fully clothed) w/ his niece & nephews.

• “Young folks” from 5 states (7 if you count Evan, from S.C & John, IL.--represented by their parents) gather in downtown Memphis at the “classic” Earnestine and Hazel’s to welcome the newlyweds---soul burgers, fried dill pickles, and hot wings. Mmm-m-m good. (*classic is a euphemism for a seedy, former brothel turned bar, turned “the” party place for juke box dancing and piano sing-a-long)

My generation, in the 60s, had “Sing –a-long with Mitch Miller---as we followed the lyrics on our TV screens by watching the superimposed ball that bounced over the words. Saturday night, Josh & Megan’s generation had “Sing-a-long with Lex” as they followed the rhythmical bouncing of Mr. Bonner’s head and the creative words inserted if memory failed. Megan even remembered all the words to “ I Feel the Earth Move Under My Feet.” The newlyweds loved it!!

• 8/8/10 Final breakfast with visiting family followed by church and Josh’s buddy, Les, coming for lunch, a Pottery Barn trek and a much needed Sunday afternoon nap. Owen joins Uncle Josh and Aunt Megan for dinner.
  

• 8/9/10 Not here yet but I’m already feeling that “hurt” that I get as I say good-by to my kids knowing it will be a long time (hopefully, Christmas) before I see them again. Maybe it will be 3 for 3 and their flight will be cancelled!!